In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, Indian security forces on Monday gunned down Hashim Musa, the alleged mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, during a high-intensity encounter in Lidwas, near Srinagar. The operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu and Kashmir Police based on specific intelligence inputs about terrorist presence in the Dachigam-Lidwas forest area.
The encounter, which took place in the early hours, resulted in the neutralisation of three terrorists. While the Indian Army officially confirmed the deaths, only one of the terrorists—Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman or Musa Fauji—has been identified so far. The other two identities are yet to be established. Musa, a Pakistani national and former para commando of the Pakistan Army’s special forces, reportedly joined the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba after his military service. He is believed to have played a key role in several attacks targeting non-locals and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.
Drone footage from the operation site showed the bodies of the terrorists. Security officials described the encounter as swift and decisive. The timing of this success holds political significance, as it coincided with a heated debate in Parliament over Operation Sindoor, India’s cross-border retaliation against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Opposition leaders had sharply criticised the government for failing to apprehend those responsible for the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 innocent lives, but this development is likely to strengthen the Centre's stand.
Musa's elimination is being seen as a strategic victory against Lashkar-e-Taiba's Pakistan-based operations. He was one of India’s most wanted terrorists following the April 22 massacre at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, where six Pakistan-backed militants opened fire on tourists, killing 26, including a Nepali national. This gruesome act prompted the Indian armed forces to launch Operation Sindoor, targeting nine major terror hubs across the border.
According to intelligence reports, Hashim Musa had been operating with a high level of training and support, and was responsible for guiding terror modules across South Kashmir. His death deals a significant blow to the LeT’s operational capabilities in the region. The encounter is also seen as a message to Pakistan-based handlers and militant networks that India’s security forces remain vigilant and capable of striking with precision when required.
Even as the combing operations continue in Lidwas to rule out the presence of additional militants, security officials have declared the mission a major success in India’s ongoing fight against cross-border terrorism.
